In 2013, I was able to travel to Shanghai for the purpose of improving my Mandarin and immersing myself within Chinese culture. I enjoyed that experience so much that I decided to return to Shanghai this past summer, interning for a consulting company in Shanghai that helped foreign companies enter the Chinese market and domestic companies grow.

I primarily worked in the marketing division of the company. Now, I could bore you with tedious details of what I did every day, but it wasn’t the usual busy work typical of internship. The first day I stepped into the office I was assigned to rebrand an image of a Taiwanese-based company that wanted to enter the Chinese market. It was challenging but with some help from my boss and a fellow intern, I was able to help the company establish operations in Shanghai and Nanjing.

This experience forced me to learn how to speak in Mandarin within a professional setting. I was taken to multiple business meetings in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing and a few other cities. I was truly lucky to have the boss that I did.

One experience that made an impact on me from my time interning abroad would be the last project I worked on. I was given the task of promoting a Green China project. Besides learning and using marketing strategies on this project, I couldn’t believe that I was witnessing a green initiative in China because I felt that China lacked environmental consciousness. Being able to witness that turn, and being involved with it firsthand was an experience I thought to be truly special. In all, I found that my trip to China was very rewarding, and I am positive that working in China is in my future. 再见!

Many OUS Scholars are known for their exceptional work on projects, in classes, for research and within student groups. The epitome of the working college student, OUS scholars work with a passion in their heart and glowing resumes filled with various skills, assets, leadership and qualities from various places on and off campus. One such individual that OUS Scholars will find at events, in student groups, and at Case Library is Hashim Rainey, Class of 2015. Rainey is no exception to the busy schedules that OUS Scholars keep at Colgate University. However, as a senior, Rainey has managed to chisel the skill of juggling various responsibilities into a finished system of steps. Finding that balance is an ever-evolving process, and Rainey shares with OUS the steps to discovering that mindset while finding yourself on campus.

First, let’s get to know Hashim.

Hashim Osaze Rainey, Class of 2015, is from Atlanta, GA and is a philosophy major with an intended minor in English. He is currently a member of Brothers, a campus ambassador for Venture For America (VFA), and a recent member of the Pre-Law Society. He is often the man working behind the curtains of these student groups - doing the logistical, foundational work that is essential to any group and every event. Rainey is known to want things to go as smoothly as possible. This kind of individual is sought after by many groups, corporations and institutions in general. Knowing that, Rainey chooses involvement in those communities to which he feels he can offer his asset and implement his passions and beliefs as well. When asked how he is able to juggle it all these years at Colgate, he revealed a surprisingly simple system.

“I believe being involved on campus means being able to have any idea that pertains to Colgate as a whole, and being able to produce or fashion that idea in some way on campus. That idea can take any shape. It may big, small, personal, general etc.

I don’t look at my life inside/outside of Colgate and being involved on campus as two separate entities. What I do at Colgate is forever in the four years of me being here. My personal struggles are dealing with overload. I tend to try to take on so many tasks that I can overwhelm myself and thus I either sacrifice quality or I sacrifice my own personal well-being. I overcome these by admitting that I need help and go out and seek great counsel from a mentor, professor, or one of my wise friends. Once those tasks are completed, and done well, do I feel fulfilled about being involved on campus the most. A lot of the times less is more. It is about finding the few things you can do and doing them well.

As an OUS scholar, I try to get involved as much as I can because I understand that Colgate has a predominant viewpoint on the way society works and that, in turn, is projected on to certain individuals, such as OUS scholars. To better the Colgate community, it is important to teach and educate those of a viewpoint what they may have missed throughout the course of their life. It would be selfish of me not to spread my knowledge, my experiences – all of which compose of that viewpoint. Also involvement on campus is an amazing opportunity for myself to learn and continue to add to, renovate, and adjust my viewpoint. I see me being involved as an overall good source of knowledge for myself and the Colgate community at large.

Being involved on campus has helped me understand the very different mindsets of people as a whole. I see that being involved has also granted me a lot of social mobility that I would not have necessarily gathered just by staying to myself on this campus. I know that this school is small and everyone can truly make a difference to it one way or another. There are so many opportunities to do well at Colgate. All that is required is the will from your mind to go out and accomplish these grand opportunities. With these opportunities can you also see what you personally want to do in life after college. I personally believe that Colgate is for self-discovery. Since the nature of this university is of Liberal Arts, no true major will guarantee you a set career path after Colgate. Major does not equal job. What will help you in your career path is trying a variety of different things at Colgate and finding out what naturally seems fun and meaningful to you. Then you take those skills out into job market and find out, which career matches those particular skills you picked up on by being involved at Colgate.

Lastly as a piece of advice, specifically first years: “Do not get distracted with what you want to be when you leave Colgate. Be involved with your Colgate community because this place is temporary; you will not get these years back. Try and broaden your range of education so you can see what you are able to seriously accomplish as a career.”

How did you hear about Colgate?
I first heard of Colgate University from my guidance counselors during my senior year in high school. They advised me to apply through early decision. One day, I came home, and there was a package from Colgate unexpectedly sitting on my bed unopened. My heart raced as I picked it up thinking about how this letter would affect my life. And so, here I am today. As I look back, it seems as though it all happened in the blink of an eye, but it happened for a reason.

How has OUS impacted your Colgate experience?
OUS introduced me to the rigor of coursework and variety of classes that Colgate has to offer. Without OUS, my freshman year would have also been more difficult for me to adjust to because of the social atmosphere at Colgate. I hope to see OUS continue to improve and make the transition easier for the incoming classes. The consistent support from OUS throughout the four years only continued to increase, and I will forever be grateful to OUS and all they have done for me.

Which professor has positively influenced your Colgate experience the most?
Freshman year, I took a class with Professor Suzanne Spring in the Writing and Rhetoric department. She is one of the most influential people I have met at Colgate because she has helped me grow academically and personally over four years. When I had rough days, she would have a solution that would automatically make me feel better. She helped me through the times when I thought I could not make it through classes, when I sucked at my time management, and when it all seemed too overwhelming. It is also because of taking classes with Professor Spring that I ended up really enjoying the classes and thus became a Writing and Rhetoric Minor.

What has been your greatest experience abroad?
I studied abroad the fall semester of my junior year in London with the English study group led by Professor Adrian Giurgea and wife, Simona Giurgea. When I was abroad, I traveled to Dublin, Ireland, and Venice, Italy. It was a phenomenal experience because I always wanted to go to London since I was a little kid. I enjoyed travelling in London and visiting museums. It gave me insight on what it would feel like to live on my own in a big city, which is definitely something I can do now. One of the perks of being on my own in the city was getting lost and having to find my way back which is something I love to do. It is someplace I hope to visit again one day, especially in the summer time.

Which professor has positively influenced you the most?
Evolutionary Biology with Professor Frank Frey. This course changed my perspective of life and science. It encourages healthy skepticism of scientific literature and offers crucial context for biological observations.

What is your greatest experience abroad?
I went to Wales, UK and studied at Cardiff University. No one experience trumps another; the entire time spent abroad was without a doubt one of the greatest things I have done with my life.

What is some advice you would give to a 1st year student?
College is not about partying, and it is not about drinking. It is an investment in your future so buckle down and be serious about it.

Describe a Colgate experience that is dear to you.
I am the captain of the Colgate Track and Field team. I have a great team, and I feel that athletics enhance the Colgate experience.

How did you hear about Colgate?
Since I live in Central New York, Colgate University is a well known educational institution among prospective college students and a university to which several of my peers were applying. An admissions representative from the university visited my high school during my senior year. When I spoke with her, I decided that Colgate would be a good fit for me. I really did not think I would be accepted to the school, let alone be hand-selected as an OUS Scholar. I still remember the confusion and surprise I experienced as I read and re-read my acceptance letter. The years I have spent here since then have been the most memorable and challenging years of my life.

How has OUS impacted your Colgate experience?
Going through the OUS program has taught me to develop a good academic work ethic, manage my time wisely, and to immerse myself in the realm of learning. It helped refine my writing, reading, and critical thinking skills. It also helped me be more confident about my abilities as a student. I have met a handful of incredible faculty and have built friendships that will last a lifetime. My OUS family has seen me through very good times and very bad times, and I am glad to have such wonderful people in my life and during my time at Colgate.

What was one of your greatest experiences abroad?
During my winter break in 2014, I visited Enschede, Netherlands for one week as a participant in EuroSim, which is a simulation of the European Union where American and European students debate a hot-topic issue. It was a fantastic experience because I got to apply my classroom knowledge of the European Union through highly intellectual and stimulating debate. I also got the chance to meet some amazing people, tour the country, and experience Dutch culture.

Describe a Colgate experience that is dear to you.
Since my first year at Colgate, I have been working as a computer consultant for Information Technology Services. This has been a very valuable experience for me during my time at Colgate because I gained a myriad of technical and practical skills. I went from having very little understanding about technology to gaining extensive knowledge about various devices, operating systems, and networks. This experience has taught me that, regardless of my major and my career goals, it is never too late to pursue an interest and learn something that is outside of my comfort zone.

Why did you choose Colgate?
I was a member of Summer Search, and I was advised to apply to Colgate. The deadline to apply for Colgate had passed, but I was urged to contact Dean Scott Brown to ask for an extension. I really didn’t want to, but all I remember was this gut feeling of “What if?” The next day, I contacted him thinking I’d be shot down, but I was surprised when he agreed to let me do it. I didn’t want to fill out my application to Colgate – but then I got that “What if” feeling again. I finished my application and sent it away, not thinking much about it. Then the acceptance letters started to come in, and I had completely forgotten that I applied to Colgate. One day, I got a call from FedEx telling me that they had a package from Colgate University. I didn’t want to go get the package because it was a lot of work to get to the post office – but then I started thinking “What if?” The rest is history. Read more

What is one piece of advice you would give to a first year student?
Never be afraid to ask questions in any circumstance in life, not just in college. It’s completely fine to be confused about something but always ask for clarification. There is no such thing as a stupid question, so ask away.

What is one class that has significantly altered your perspective?
I took Basic Acting with Simona and Adrian Giurgea, during the Office of Undergraduate Studies’ Summer Institute program. I believe it truly allowed me to be myself. Basic Acting took me out of my comfort zone, which is something I have had to do many times here at Colgate since that class.

What is a leadership position you have at Colgate?
I’m the dance choreographer for a Caribbean dance group on campus (CSA). I have been leading the group for a year and a half now. We practice once a week to prepare for Dancefest, which happens at the end of each semester. Being the choreographer for this group is a wonderful experience, and I hope to continue leading this wonderful group of dancers.

On October 10, 2013, Manny brought to fruition his involvement on campus by hosting, through Brothers, his first Brown Bag: The Hispanic Heritage Month Brown Bag. This event was the result of hard work, leadership, growth, and empowerment. Read more